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The Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) held its 156th session on Sunday, 22nd of  Dhul Qi’dah 1444H (June 11, 2023), at the headquarters of the General Secretariat, headed by His Excellency Mr. Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman, Chairman of the current session of the Ministerial Council, with the participation of Their Excellencies:

 

His Excellency Mr. Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar,

Minister of State of the United Arab Emirates

 

His Excellency Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani,

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain

 

His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud,

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

 

His Excellency Mr. Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi,

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar

 

His Excellency Shaikh Salem Abdullah Al Jaber Al Sabah,

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait

 

His Excellency Mr. Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi,

Secretary General of the GCC

The Ministerial Council praised the success of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s hosting of several important international and regional events, including the Kingdom’s hosting of the 32nd Arab Summit on May 19, 2023, in Jeddah, and its positive results, stressing the importance of solidifying Arab unity and everything that would provide Conditions that achieve stability, prosperity and a promising future for the Arab peoples and future generations. The Council also praised the Kingdom's efforts in bringing points of view closer, strengthening unity, stopping bloodshed, and achieving a truce on a number of local and international issues.

The Ministerial Council commended the progress achieved by the GCC countries within the framework of their space programmes, the efforts of the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the field of outer space exploration, and the positive impact of this on the development of knowledge, scientific research and practical applications.

The Ministerial Council reviewed developments in the joint Gulf action, and developments in regional and international political issues, as follows:

1. The Ministerial Council was briefed on the efforts exerted by the committees working within the framework of the Cooperation Council to implement the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with respect to the promotion of joint Gulf action, which was adopted by the Supreme Council at its 36th session in December 2015, and directed the prompt completion of its implementation.

2. The Council reviewed the process of integration among the GCC countries, and stressed the continuity of achieving more coordination, integration and interdependence in all fields, in order to achieve the aspirations of the GCC citizens, the completion of the requirements for finalising the Customs Union, and the application of full equality in treatment between the citizens of the GCC countries in the fields of the GCC Common Market.

3. The Council approved the foreign action plan in the field of human rights (2023-2026).

4. The Ministerial Council welcomed the results of the ministerial meeting of the International Coalition to Defeat Daesh, which was held in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on June 8, 2023, and affirmed the commitment of the Council countries to continue their efforts within the Coalition, and to support international and regional efforts against all terrorist organisations.

5. The Council affirmed its firm positions and decisions towards terrorism, whatever its source, and its rejection of all its forms, motives and justifications, and to work to dry up its sources of financing. The Ministerial Council condemned all terrorist acts, stressing the sanctity of harming civilians and civilian facilities such as schools, places of worship and hospitals, and affirming the importance of international and regional coordination to confront terrorist groups and sectarian militias that threaten security and stability.

6. The Council welcomed the results of the GCC-European Conference on Combating Extremist Ideology, which was held at the headquarters of the General Secretariat on June 6-7, 2023, in which the GCC states, the European Union and several centres specialised in studying this phenomenon and addressing its repercussions participated.

7. The Council reviewed the results of the workshop organised by the State of Qatar on Islamophobia in the world, on May 29, 2023, in Doha, to study this phenomenon. The Council emphasised that tolerance and coexistence among nations and peoples are among the most important principles and values upon which relations between countries and societies are based.

8. The Ministerial Council affirmed the GCC’s firm positions and decisions rejecting Iran’s continued occupation of the three islands of the United Arab Emirates; the Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa, stressing support for the sovereignty of the United Arab Emirates over its three islands, territorial waters, airspace, continental shelf, and economic zone, as an indivisible part from the territory of the United Arab Emirates, and considering that any practices or actions carried out by Iran on the three islands are null, void and have no effect on the right of the sovereignty of the United Arab Emirates over its three islands. The Ministerial Council called on Iran to respond to the efforts of the United Arab Emirates to resolve the issue through direct negotiations or resorting to the International Court of Justice.

9. The Ministerial Council affirmed its firm positions on the centrality of the Palestinian Cause, its support for the sovereignty of the Palestinian people over all Palestinian territories occupied since June 1967, the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Al Quds as its capital, and the guarantee of refugee rights, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and international legitimacy resolutions, stressing the need to double the efforts of the international community to resolve the conflict, in a way that fulfils all the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people.

10. The Council commended the efforts made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in cooperation with the League of Arab States and the European Union, to revive the Arab Peace Initiative and confront Israeli violations.

11. The Council condemned the repeated incursions by Israeli officials and settlers into the courtyards of the blessed Al Aqsa Mosque, in a serious violation of international law and the historical and legal status quo in Al Quds and its sanctities, a violation of the sanctity of the blessed Al Aqsa Mosque and a provocation of the feelings of Muslims.

12. The Ministerial Council called on the international community to intervene to stop the targeting of the Palestinian presence in the city of Al Quds, the expulsion of Palestinians from their homes in East Al Quds, attempts to change its legal character, demographic composition, and arrangements for Islamic holy places, and the attempts to impose Israeli sovereignty over them in clear violation of the international law, international resolutions, and the existing concluded agreements. The Council stressed the need to stop unilateral measures on the part of Israel.

13. The Council condemned Israel's continued construction of settlement units in the occupied Palestinian territories, and rejected any tendency to annex settlements to Israel or impose Israeli sovereignty over them, in clear violation of international legitimacy resolutions, including UN Security Council Resolution No. 2334, calling on the international community to put pressure on the Israeli authorities to reverse its settlement decisions.

14. The Council praised the diplomatic efforts exerted by the State of Qatar and the Arab Republic of Egypt to reach a cease-fire between the Palestinian and Israeli sides.

15. The Council praised the efforts of the United Arab Emirates, through its membership in the Security Council, in following up on the developments of the Palestinian cause in the Security Council and supporting the request for the State of Palestine to obtain full membership in the United Nations.

16. The Ministerial Council praised the generous assistance provided by the GCC countries to support the activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), and called on the international community to continue supporting it to continue its mission until the return of the Palestinian refugees.

17. The Ministerial Council reiterated the decisions of the Respected Supreme Council during its 43rd session in December 2022, with respect to relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the basic foundations for strengthening relations with it, through full commitment to the principles of good neighbourliness, mutual respect, international norms, laws and covenants, and not Interfering in internal affairs, resolving disputes by peaceful means and direct dialogue, and not using or threatening to the use of force, and everything that guarantees the preservation of the foundations of security, stability and peace in the region.

18. The Ministerial Council stressed the importance of Iran's commitment not to exceed the rate of uranium enrichment required for peaceful uses, and the need to fulfil its obligations and fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency. The Council also affirmed the GCC countries’ readiness to cooperate and deal effectively with this file, and stressed the need for their participation in all regional and international negotiations, discussions and meetings in this regard, and that the negotiations include, in addition to the Iranian nuclear programme,  all security issues and concerns of the GCC states, in a way that contributes to achieving common goals and interests in A framework of respect for sovereignty, good neighbourliness policies, and adherence to United Nations resolutions and international legitimacy to ensure strengthening regional and international security and stability.

19. The Council stressed the importance of preserving maritime security and waterways in the region, and addressing everything that might threaten the shipping lanes, international trade, and oil installations in the GCC states.

20. The Ministerial Council affirmed its full support for the Presidential Leadership Council in achieving security and stability in Yemen, and its efforts to reach a political solution, in accordance with the GCC initiative and its Executive Mechanism, the outcomes of the Yemeni National Dialogue Conference (NDC) and the Security Council Resolution 2216, in a way that preserves brotherly Yemen's sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and independence.

21. The Council welcomed the sincere efforts made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman and the existing communications with all Yemeni parties to revive the political process, which leads to achieving a comprehensive and sustainable political solution in Yemen, and the results of the meetings that took place in Sana’a on April 8-13, 2023, and the accompanying positive atmosphere, to alleviate the suffering of the brotherly Yemeni people, and reach a ceasefire.

22. The Ministerial Council renewed its support for the efforts of the United Nations led by its Special Envoy to Yemen, Mr. Hans Grundberg, and the efforts of the US Special Envoy to Yemen, Mr. Tim Lenderking, to reach a political solution in accordance with the three terms of reference, and praised the Yemeni government's adherence to renewing the humanitarian truce announced by the United Nations in Yemen, calling for international pressure on the Houthis to lift the siege on the city of Taiz and open humanitarian crossings therein, as stipulated in the United Nations armistice. The Council appreciated the efforts of the United Nations Special Envoy to renew the armistice in line with the initiative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced in March 2021, to end the crisis in Yemen, cease fire and reach a comprehensive political solution, calling on the United Nations Special Envoy to take a firm stance towards the Houthi practices, which contradict these efforts.

23. The Council welcomed the decisions of the League of Arab States Council at the summit level (the 32nd regular session) and the Jeddah Declaration of May 19, 2023, which reaffirmed support for everything that guarantees the security and stability of the Republic of Yemen and achieves the aspirations of the brotherly Yemeni people.

24. The Council welcomed the inauguration by His Excellency President Rashad Mohammed Al Alimi, Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, in the interim capital Aden, of a package of developmental and vital projects and programmes implemented by the Saudi Programme for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen (SDRPY), including the inauguration of the rehabilitation and operation of Aden General Hospital and the establishment of a heart centre project, to contribute to supporting the capabilities of the health sector in Aden Governorate and its environs, after it was equipped with 2187 medical devices and equipment, with a capacity of 270 beds, and the inauguration of the first and second phases of the Aden International Airport Rehabilitation Project, and laying the foundation stone for the third phase of the Project, with the aim of improving the airport and the quality of services provided to passengers and operating airlines, in addition to the opening of four modern model schools, among 31 other schools distributed in various Yemeni governorates, within the framework of 52 development projects and initiatives in the education sector.

25. In continuation of the previous grants provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia totalling USD 4.2 billion, the Ministerial Council commended the fourth instalment of the Saudi oil derivatives grant provided through the SDRPY to the Republic of Yemen, in quantities amounting to 30,000 metric tonnes, whose total quantities amounted to 150,000 metric tonnes of diesel and 100,000 metric tonnes of mazut in the period from November 2022 to April 2023, in order to meet the need of power plants in the Yemeni governorates to operate more than 70,000 power plants throughout the Republic of Yemen, which contributed to economic stability, strengthening the budget of the Yemeni government, raising the purchasing power of the Yemeni citizen, and ensuring the activation of the self-operation of power plants in Yemen. The United Arab Emirates provided Yemen with aid amounting to USD7 billion from 2015 to 2023, in the areas of health, energy generation and supply, support for public programmes, social services, government and civil society, judicial and legal development, transportation and storage, as well as relief and food aid.

26. The Ministerial Council praised the achievements of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief), the development projects implemented by the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Programme for Yemen, the humanitarian support provided by the Office for the Coordination of Relief and Humanitarian Aid provided by the Cooperation Council to the Republic of Yemen, and the humanitarian and development assistance provided by all the GCC member states to Yemen. Moreover, the Ministerial Council valued the efforts of the Saudi Project for Landmine Clearance (MASAM) to clear Yemeni lands of mines, which, since its launch in June 2018, was able to remove around 400,000 mines, ammunition and explosive devices that were randomly planted by the Houthi militia.

27. The Ministerial Council condemned the continued foreign interference in the internal affairs of Yemen, and the smuggling of military experts and weapons to the Houthi terrorist militia in clear violation of Security Council Resolutions 2216, 2231 and 2624, noting the US Navy’s announcement of seizing a shipment of drugs on board an Iranian ship in the international corridor in the Sea of Oman, where it found 4,330 pounds of heroin on board a fishing boat departing from the port of Shah Bahar in Iran, and the US Coast Guard’s seizure of USD30 million worth of methamphetamine and heroin from a fishing boat that departed from the same port on May 8, 2023, and the confiscation of an estimated value of USD80 million worth of heroin on May 10, 2023. The Ministerial Council also noted to the announcement of the security services in Al Mahra Governorate on May 18, 2023, confiscating modern communication equipment that was on its way to the Houthi militia, including 11 supply and organization of communication network stations Cabin (PAELTA) with a power of Am63, in addition to 181 boxes containing electrical power transformers for communication cabins, ad eight pieces of electrical tools belonging to the transformers.

28. The Ministerial Council urged the United Nations to start implementing its operational plan to deal with the floating storage and offloading unit (FSO) Safer, and not to delay in order to avoid any emergency that may occur and result in oil leakage from the unit. The Ministerial Council also stressed the importance of including effective response procedures compatible with the best international practices to transfer the oil from Safer to an alternative tanker, praising the contributions of the GCC countries in financing this process, including the USD2 million contribution of the State of Kuwait for the benefit of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to address the issue of the Safer tanker.

29. The Ministerial Council affirmed its firm positions and decisions towards brotherly Iraq, and its support for the existing efforts to combat terrorism and achieve security and stability in the country, stressing the importance of protecting the safety and territorial integrity of Iraq, its full sovereignty,  Arab-Islamic identity, social fabric and national unity. The Ministerial Council also stressed its support to confront terrorist groups and armed militias in order to ensure state sovereignty and law enforcement.

30. The Ministerial Council praised the positive and growing partnership between the Cooperation Council and Iraq and welcomed the inauguration of the electrical interconnection project to link Iraq to the electricity grids in the GCC countries, on June 8, 2023, in the city of Dammam, Saudi Arabia. This project represents one of the important steps to achieve greater integration and interdependence between Iraq and the GCC states, in a way that serves their common interests and paves the way for more cooperation in the future.

31. The Ministerial Council condemned the repeated external assaults against the Republic of Iraq, which threaten its security and stability. The Council underlined the need to respect Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing that the Council members states stand united by brotherly Iraq.

32. The Ministerial Council underscored the importance of Iraq's commitment to the sovereignty of the State of Kuwait and non-violation of international resolutions and agreements, in particular Security Council Resolution No. 833, regarding the demarcation of the borders between the two countries and the agreement regulating maritime navigation in Khor Abdullah, concluded between the two countries and deposited with the United Nations, and the Council called on the Republic of Iraq to complete Demarcation of the maritime borders with the State of Kuwait beyond the mark 162, expressing his categorical rejection of any violation affecting the sovereignty of the State of Kuwait and preserving its right to respond in accordance with legal channels.

33. The Ministerial Council reiterated its support for Security Council Resolution No. 2107 (2013), regarding the transfer of the file of prisoners and missing persons, Kuwaiti property and the national archive to the United Nations Mission (UNAMI), expressing its aspiration that Iraq will continue cooperation to ensure progress in all files, and calling on Iraq and the United Nations to produce maximum efforts in order to reach a solution towards these files.

34. The Ministerial Council affirmed its firm positions towards preserving the territorial integrity of the sisterly Syrian Arab Republic, respecting its independence and sovereignty over its lands, rejecting regional interference in its internal affairs, and supporting a political solution to the Syrian crisis in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions. The Council expressed its support for the efforts of the Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen in this regard, and backing for the endeavours exerted to provide care for Syrian refugees and displaced persons and work to ensure their safe return to their cities and villages, in accordance with international standards. 

35. The Council stressed the importance of continuing and supporting all efforts aimed at helping Syria overcome its crisis, and the need to take practical and effective steps to gradually resolve the Syrian crisis. In this context, the Council welcomed the Arab League’s ministerial decision to allow the Syrian government delegations to attend the meetings of the League’s Council and its affiliated organisations and agencies. The Council also welcomed the Arab efforts to resolve the crisis in Syria in a step-by-step manner as agreed upon during the Amman Consultative Meeting of the Arab Ministerial Contact Group on Syria on May 1, 2023.

36. The Council stressed the importance of continuing all efforts to alleviate the suffering of the brotherly Syrian people, and welcomed the call of the Secretary General of the United Nations to renew the mandate of the Security Council to extend the mechanism for the delivery of humanitarian aid across borders for a period of 12 months.

37. The Ministerial Council stressed the GCC's firm commitment to stand with the brotherly Lebanese people and its continued support for Lebanon's sovereignty, security and stability, and for the Lebanese Armed Forces that protect its borders and resist the threats of extremist and terrorist groups. The Ministerial Council highlighted the importance of implementing comprehensive structural reforms that ensure that Lebanon overcomes its political and economic crisis and that it does not become a launching pad for terrorism, drug smuggling, or other criminal activities that threaten the security and stability of the region, stressing the importance of extending the Lebanese government’s control over all Lebanese territories, including the implementation of the provisions of the relevant Security Council resolutions and the Taif Agreement, in order for it to exercise its full sovereignty, so there will be no weapons except with the approval of the Lebanese government, and there will be no authority other than its authority, and Lebanon will not be a starting point for any actions targeting the security and stability of the region.

38. The Supreme Council called on all Lebanese parties to respect the constitutional deadlines and the Lebanese people's aspirations to elect a president for the country in accordance with the Lebanese constitution, in addition to their prospects for stability, progress and prosperity, praising the efforts of Lebanon’s friends and partners to restore confidence and enhance cooperation between Lebanon and the GCC countries, and their support for the role of the Lebanese army and internal security forces in safeguarding security.

39. The Ministerial Council affirmed the positions and decisions of the Cooperation Council regarding safeguarding the security, safety and stability of Sudan, protecting the cohesion of the state and its institutions and preventing its collapse, supporting Sudan in confronting the developments and repercussions of the current crisis, stressing the need for calm, prioritising the language of dialogue and uniting ranks, alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese people, and preventing any external interference in its affairs that fuels the conflict and threatens regional peace and security.

40. The Ministerial Council praised the tireless diplomatic efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America towards enabling the Sudanese political forces and parties to calm down,  give preference to the language of dialogue, reconcile divergent views in order to reach an agreement that spares the brotherly Sudanese people the scourge of wars and conflicts, meets their aspirations, and contributes to strengthening the country’s security, stability and prosperity in all fields. 

41. The Ministerial Council condemned the recent raids and vandalism against several diplomatic missions and their buildings in Sudan, including the missions of the GCC member states, stressing the need to respect international agreements and diplomatic norms that guarantee the sanctity and safety of the headquarters of diplomatic missions and their employees.

42. The Ministerial Council praised the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its pivotal role in evacuating nationals of the GCC, brotherly and friendly countries. The Ministerial Council commended the necessary relief supplies provided by the United Arab Emirates, which amounted to 1,630 tons of food and medical aid which were transported through 22 aircraft and a ship, hailing the allocation of $52.5 million to support those affected by the conflict in Sudan and internally displaced persons and Sudanese refugees in Chad. The UAE also contributed to the evacuation of a group of nationals of brotherly and friendly countries. The Ministerial Council also valued all the humanitarian aid and support provided by the GCC countries to the brotherly Sudanese people, to evacuate civilians and meet their urgent humanitarian needs. The Ministerial Council urged the international community to extend humanitarian backing to the Sudanese people.

43. The Supreme Council reiterated its firm positions and decisions regarding the Libyan crisis, underlining its keenness to preserve the interests of the brotherly Libyan people to achieve security, stability and development in Libya, to guarantee its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, to stop interference in its internal affairs, and for the exit of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libyan territory, 

44. The Ministerial Council reiterated its support for the efforts of the United Nations Envoy Abdoulaye Bathily to reach a political solution, hold elections and unify state institutions in order to meet the aspirations of the Libyan people and to lay the foundations for security and stability.

45. The Ministerial Council welcomed the consensus reached by the 6+6 joint committee, which was formed by the Libyan House of Representatives and the High Council of State, during its meetings in the sisterly Kingdom of Morocco on June 6-7, 2023, on the laws regulating the election of the Head of State and members of the parliament, considering it as a positive and constructive step towards holding presidential and parliamentary elections.

46. The Ministerial Council emphasised the importance of restoring security and stability in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and reaching a consensual political solution that takes into account the interests of all components of the Afghan people, in a way that achieves the aspirations of the brotherly Afghan people, and benefits regional and international peace and security, and calls on the de-facto authority to implement its obligations to ensure women's right to education and work, to protect minorities, and to ensure that Afghan lands are not used by any terrorist groups, or Afghan lands are exploited for the export of narcotics.

47. The Ministerial Council lauded the continued humanitarian assistance provided by the GCC countries to Afghanistan and called on the international community to continue extending assistance to the Afghan people.

48. The Ministerial Council reaffirmed the position of the GCC on the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, which is stemmed from the principles of international law and the charter of the United Nations, and the preservation of the international system, based on respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, and non-use or threat of force.

49. The Ministerial Council affirmed its support for mediation efforts to resolve the crisis between Russia and Ukraine, a cease-fire, a political solution to the crisis, giving priority to the language of dialogue, and settling the conflict through negotiations.

50. The Ministerial Council commended the humanitarian assistance provided by the GCC countries to Ukraine.

51. The Ministerial Council welcomed the extension of the agreement to export grains from Russia and Ukraine across the Black Sea for a period of 60 days until the end of July 17, 2023, expressing its backing for the continuation of the implementation of this agreement to facilitate the export of grains and all foodstuffs, in addition to humanitarian supplies to contribute to providing food security for the affected countries.

52. The Ministerial Council praised the results of the partnership meeting between the Cooperation Council and the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt, which was held at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Cooperation Council on June 5, 2023, stressing the importance of moving forward in strengthening this partnership and integration between the two sides in all fields.

53. The Ministerial Council stressed the importance of implementing the outcomes of the joint GCC-US ministerial meeting, which was held at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the GCC on June 7, 2023, which underscored the importance of bolstering the strategic partnership between the GCC and the United States of America.

54. The Ministerial Council reviewed a report on the progress of free trade negotiations with other countries and groups and the development made in this field.